Driving-rein



(N0 Model.)

W. S. SHERD DRIVING REIN. No. 268,046. "PatenteQ Nov. 28, 1882.

N. Pcfins Phcla-Lnho n hcr. wnmngm o. c.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM s. SHERD, OF CASTLE ROCK, MINNESOTA.

D RlVlNG-REiN.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 268,046, dated November28, 1882.

Application filed July 31, 1882.

To all whom "it may concern:

- Be it known that I, WM. S. SHERD, a citizen of the United States,residing at Castle Rock, in the county of Dakota and State of-Minnesota, have made new and useful Improvements in Driving-Reins, ofwhich the following is a specification.

The invention relates to driving-reins; and it consists in theconstruction and arrangement of parts substantially as hereinafterspecitically described and claimed.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is anoutliue diagram of a team of horses,viewed from above, showing the reins in position and my improvementattached thereto. and Fig. 3 is a side view, about full size, of theswivels detached. Fig. 4 is a view of one of the swivels detached andthe parts disconnected.

Much annoyance and trouble are generally experienced in harnessing anddriving horses hy the reins becoming twisted. This is especially truewhere two or more horses are driven together; and to prevent the reinsbecoming twisted is the object of my inventiornwhich consists inarrangingiu the circuit of the reins where the leading-reins areconnected to the main guiding-reins small metal swivels, so'

that no matter how much the reins may be twisted when the horses areharnessed the swivels will permit them to readily untwist of their ownaccord.

In the drawings, A A represent the outer leading-reins, and B I?represent the inner leading-reins, each attached at one end to the bitsof the horses, and at the other end each i usually attached by buckles cc to the main driving-reins D D but in my device Iinsert small metalswivels between the buckles c c Fig. 2 is a front view,

(No model.)

and the leading-reins A A B B as shown. These swivels consist of twometal rings or eyes, E E one eye having a pin, a, (see Fig. 4,) fittingthrough a hole in the other eye, and secured therein by being riveted ina head or washer, b, or secured in any other suitable manner to enableoneeye to swingfrecly around the other. The ends of the driving-reinsare secured in one pair of these eyes and the ends of the leading-reinssecured in the other eyes in the ordinary manner by sewing or riveting.The leading-reins are usually formed of round straps, while the drivingreins are usually formed of flat straps, although they may be made inany desired form. By this simple arrangement the reins cannot becometwisted, as the swivels will enable the natural torsional strain of theleather to untwist them when twisted. Hence no time need beoccupied instraightening and untwisting the reins in harnessing, as they Willuntwist of themselves, no matter how badly twisted.

l have only shown the swivels applied to a double harness, to which theyare especially applicable; but they may he also used on single'harness,'if desired.

I claim as my invention The combination of the leading-reins A A B Bdriving-reins l) D, and swivels E E arranged and operating substantiallyas set forth.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in the presence of twosubscribing witnesses.

h1. STEPHEN SHERD.

Witnesses:

O. M. lVIEADE, E. E. PALMER.

